John b



(No Model.)

' J. B. GLOPTON.

PAPER FILE.

mvamtoz Patented Aug; 18

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN B. OLOPTON, OF BASTROP, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO ALBERT C. ERHARD, OF SAME PLACE.

PAPER-FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 457,771, dated August 18, 1891 Application filed April 30, 1891- Serial No. 391,114. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN B. CLoPrroN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bastrop, in the county of Bastrop and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-Files; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a paper-file, its obj ects being to produce a device for this purpose which will be simple, efiective, and durable, as it is composed of few parts, which can be manufactured so cheaply that it can be sold at a price which will enable it to be universally used, and which can accommodate papers of any width.

To these ends my invention consists in certain features of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described, and then particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a plan View of my paper-file. Fig. 2 is a side View showing the parts in position for holdingthe papers, documents, bills, or prescriptions. Fig. 3 is a side view showing the parts in position for receiving papers. Fig. 4 is a side view showing the parts in position for removing papers. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the latter.

to is the base of the file, which at its upper end is provided with a transverse bar b, secured thereto in any suitable way and pro vided with rounded or other shaped end projections b. The clamp-frame for holding the papers 0 in the file is made of springwire, which is bent into U shape, having a jaw or front rod d, rearwardly-extending parallel side arms (1' d, springs e e, which are coiled around the end projections b, and downwardly-extending ends e e, which are let into holes f f in the base just in front of the bar I), so as to form a fixed connection. The front end of the clamp is bent downwardly, so that the jaw d will be brought firmly against the papers by the springs e e.

g is a presser-foot bent up from sheet metal into 2 shape substantially, and arranged just to the rear of the jaw d.

From each side of the upper part of the presser-foot g extend parallel arms h h, which at their rear ends are provided with lateralextensions h h, which are received by shallow recesses 'i 2 in the upper sides of the arms (Z d, in which the extensions turn slightly. Coiled around the extensions h h are spiral springs jj, the ends k k of which are hooked under the arms h h, and the ends 7t 7c of which are secured to the arms d (1', thus forming a spring-hinge connection between the arms of the presser-foot and the arms of the clamp. In a bearing Z, provided in the upper bend of the Z-shaped presser-foot, is journaled a shaft or lifting-rod m, provided 6 at each end with cranked portions m m and with a crank-handle n, which extends in a direction at right angles to the plane of the shaft and its cranked portions,

Hinged on a pivot-rod 0, secured in the base a, slightly to the rear of the lower or operative end of the presser-foot, is a support or flap 1).

. r is a hole in the base for hanging the file on a nail. I 7

My paper-file is used as follows: When the file contains papers, they are held in position by the jaw d of the clamp, which is pressed against them by means of the springs e e. (See Fig. 2.) To inserta paper, raise the han- 8o dle n and pull it forward into the position shown in Fig. 3 until the handle is parallel with the base, thus lowering the presser-foot g onto the papers, if any are in place, and raising the jaw (Z of the clamp off the papers b5 by reason of the cranked portions of the shaft m bearing upwardly upon the arms (1' cl. Now place the paper under the jaw d, with its upper end against the upright part of the presser-foot, and hold it in this position with one hand, using the other hand to raise the handle to. \Vhen the handle is raised, the action of the springs j j will throw the handle back and raise the presser-foot and the parts will be in the position shown 5 in Fig. 2.

To remove the papers from the file, raise the support or flap p to upright position, so as to engage under the top part of the Z shaped presser-foot and under the arms 71. h

thereof. Now pull the handle it forward, as

7 before, and the jaw (Z is raised clear of the papers, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the presser-foot being prevented from lowering by the support 1).

It is apparent that slight changes may be resorted to by any skilled mechanic without departing from the scope and spirit of myinvention.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In apaper-file, the combination of a base, a clamp provided with a jaw, a presser-foot to the rear of the jaw, and a crank-shaft journaled in abearingin the presser-foot and provided with a handle, the crank portion of the shaft being arranged under the clamp, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a paper-file, the combination of a base,

"a clamp provided with a jaw and having side arms connected to the base by springs, a presser-foot to the rear of the jaw, and means for operating the clamp and presser-foot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a paper-tile, the combination of a base, a clamp havinga jaw and springs for depressing it, a presser-foot to the rear of the jaw, and a crank-shaft provided with a handle for turning the shaft to operate the clamp and presser-foot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a paper-file, the combination, with a base and a U-shaped clamp comprising a jaw or front bar, side arms, springs, and ends securing the clamp to the base, of a presserfoot to the rear of the jaw of the clamp, and means for operating the clamp and presserfoot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In a paper-file, the combination, with a base and a clamp provided with a jaw, of a substantially Z-shaped presser-foot provided with a bearingin its upperbend, and a crank shaft journaled in said bearing, substantially as set forth.

6. In a paper-file, the combination, with a base and a clamp having a jaw and an arm, of a pressenfoot having an arm connected to the clamp-arm by a spring, and means for operating the clamp and presser-foot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

.7. In a paperfile, the combination, with a base and a clamp having a jaw and an arm provided with a recess, of a presser-foot having an arm provided with a lateral extension seated in said recess, a spring-hinge connecting the arms, and means for operating the clamp and presser-foot, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

8. In a paper-file, the combination, with a base and a clamp having a jaw and an arm, of a presser-foot having an arm connected to the clam p-arm by a spring, and a crank-shaft journaled in the presser-foot and having its crank under the crank-arm, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a paper-file, the combination, with a base and a clamp provided with a jaw, of a presser-foot, an operating device supported thereby and adapted to raise the clamp, and a movable support or flap under the presserfoot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a paper-file, the combination, with a base and a clamp provided with a jaw, of a presser-foot provided with a bearing, acrankshaft journaled in the bearing with its cranked portion under the clamp, and a hinged support or flap under the presser-foot, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN B. CLOPTON.

\Vitnesses:

TOM \V. CAIN, EARL SUMMERS. 

